Sport News
Nathan Lambert | K-12 Sport Co-ordinator
THE LEAGUE
THE FINALS
This week was a massive week in The League with Semi Finals and Finals being played in all division across Soccer and Basketball. They were all very exciting to watch. The atmosphere was electric, the competition was fierce, and everyone knew that it came down to this last game.
Our Primary School were able to spectate the Primary Finals on Friday afternoon, with those students in Years 3 - 6 not involved, watching the games from the sideline, cheering on each team and holding their breath in those tense moments and there were many of them.
Primary Soccer Years 3 and 4
This Soccer competition has been a very close race right to the end. Even when the Elimination Finals were held last week, it was still unclear who would make it to the Final as there were so many talented and passionate teams.
The Year 3 team Boxers were able to cause an upset in their Semi Final, edging out Skills, a strong Year 4 team. The leaders of the competition, Champions another Year 4 team who had displayed many great moments this term, were able to old on and defeat Dominators, a younger team who had proved to be a strong contender for the championship.
The Final with Boxers and Champions now cementing their spot, would play a game to remember.
With the entire Primary School watching, both teams went on the attack from the starting whistle. They strongly challenged each tackle and with several good through balls, able to provide scoring opportunities.
It was Champions who struck first, with some skills displayed with the ball before a powerful shot by Luca into the net. This shot was too hard for any goalie to stop and a credit to Luca’s ball skill.
Boxers came out firing at the start of the second half, putting the pressure on Champion’s defence. Nyla was impressive in the way she lifted her team, with her determination to win each challenge.
The score line was extended to 2-0 with another impressive goal by Champions, and this was how the score remainder to the final whistle.
Congratulations to Champions for winning The League SOCCER in the Primary Division Years 3 and 4.
Primary Soccer Years 5 and 6
In one of the highly contested competition this year, this Final was going to be one to watch.
There are many boys and girls in both Years 5 and 6 who are not only passionate about this game, but also display sensational skills with the ball. Their ability to control the ball, turn and shoot with both power and accuracy is impressive.
The Year 5 teams Dino and Gold Guns were the favourites leading into their Semi Finals, finishing on the table 1st and 2nd respectively, but you cannot count out the two Year 6 teams Lads and Eagles, as both teams comprised of boys and girls who demonstrated an ability to fight to the end in any sport.
The Semi Finals, played earlier in the week, were very close games. Lads were able to take an early lead against Dino and hold onto that lead, winning 2-0 and progressing to the Final. The other Semi between Eagles and Gold Guns was a battle to the end, with both teams scoreless after regular time, then Golden Goal, meaning that a Penalty Shoot-out would be the only way to determinate the winner.
All Penalty Shoot-outs are always exciting but carry a large element of suspense. This one was no different, with both teams only scoring 1 shot and it came down to the final shooter for Lads, a young soccer player Olivia. She was able to show nerves of steel and slot the goal in past the keeper, a shot that would have been too hard for any experienced goalie.
The teams in the Final had now been decided … Eagles v Lads.
This game was electric from the start! The Primary students cheering on the crowd held their breath at every exciting moment, from great defence to close shots to superb saves from each of the experienced keeper.
Both teams were able to mount several scoring opportunities but were denied by strong defence or wonderful saves. Eagles were very close to scoring in the first half, but it was only due to a brilliant save by Micah, that Lads able to stay in the match.
With the scores level at 0-0 in the second half, this match was heading into a draw and that’s how it remained. Even though each team was close to taking the lead, neither could get past the defence or the goalie.
At full time, the scores were locked at 0-0, meaning that this game would be decided by either Golden Goal or if need be Penalty Shoot Out.
Golden Goal was even more tense than before, with several chances missed due to strong marking defence and challenges. With only 20 seconds left in the game Lads were able to break through and with a lovely pass from Sam, Zaid was able to slot the goal in and win the match. Again, it was an amazing shot that was too hard to stop for any keeper.
Congratulations to Lads for winning The League SOCCER in the Primary Division Years 5 and 6.
Primary Basketball Years 3 and 4
There were four teams that competed in the Semi Finals of this Basketball competition. Both Legends and Firebirds were able to edge out their opponents to win their match and progress to the Final against one another.
This match proved to be yet another tough competition. They had met previously in pool matches, and even though the Legends had one on each of these occasions, Firebirds were aiming to cause an upset.
Legends went to an early 4-0 lead through impressive shooting. Firebirds stayed in the game by solid defence and good attacking raids, only to miss out on scoring a basketball before half time.
Second half continued where the first half left off, with both teams providing many scoring opportunities and the chance to take the lead. In the end Legends just held off Firebirds to win the match 8-0 and to take the title.
Congratulations to Legends for winning The League BASKETBALL in the Primary Years 3 and 4 Division.
Primary Basketball Years 5 and 6
This basketball competition has been very close between all six teams. With many Years 5 and 6 students playing basketball domestically, there was a strong contingent of experienced players in each of the teams, meaning that Finals week would be very interesting.
The first Semi Final was played between Duckies and Falcons. Falcons have been leading the competition from the beginning, but with some injury concerns, were unable to hold off the firing Duckies who won 6-2. The other Semi Final between Lads and Cheese. These teams finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively on the table, fought out another close match with Lads just winning 6-2.
The Final between Duckies and Lads was fast paced and close. Superb shooting, passing and defence helped Duckies take an early lead but Lads, known for their endless energy and never-say-die attitude, kept on fighting.
Time unfortunately ran out for Lads, who went down to Duckies 14-8. It was a very close match and one that could have gone either way, but on this day, Duckies took the title.
Congratulations to Lads for winning The League BASKETBALL in the Primary Years 5 and 6 Division.
Secondary Futsal
Chiefs have been the dominating team in this competition, going into the Finals as favourites, without losing a game in all pool matches. They were up against Knights, who had played exceptionally well in their Elimination Final to win by a goal. This Final was going to be a good one to watch.
We have an amazing group of soccer players at our school who have superb skills with the ball. Playing Futsal is a game which challenges all soccer players to not only improve their passing and shooting skills, but also to master their ball handling skills. Knowing when to hold the ball a bit longer before passing, or shooting is a skill that requires a lot of practise. Th control of the ball is a very important element of the game and that would be important in this Final.
Both teams started the game strongly, with a number of scoring opportunities presenting themselves due to quick one-touch passing. Chiefs took an early lead with a powerful shot to the net, and this lead increased with several more goals scored in the first half.
The second half would prove to be tough for Knights, who fought valiantly till the end but just could not score a goal. Chiefs dominated possession and with precise passing and shooting, was able to take a 4-0 lead and hold that till the final whistle.
It was a wonderful Final which displayed the amazing skills of both teams and the impressive performance of a team that were too strong this term.
Congratulations to Chiefs for winning The League FUTSAL in the Secondary Division.
Secondary Basketball
The skill level at this age group is amazing, with such incredible accuracy in passing and shooting, not to mention the speed of set moves, screens and fast dribbling.
The Year 9 Skype team was one of the teams to beat, winning nearly all of their pool matches. They were up against Big Boys, a young Year 7 team comprised of passionate basketball players who not only love the challenge of competing against older teams, but also comprise superb skills in the game. Winning the Semi Finals convincingly 23-4 against Chiefs, they were confident they could make this Final a tough one to call. This team had played Skype twice though and lost each time, so heading into the Final, they were hoping to cause an upset.
The game started at an intense pace, with Big Boys controlling the ball and possession and racing to an early 9-0 lead. This quickly changed with Skype mounting a comeback, and heading into the second half, took at 12-10 lead. The defence and ball possession were even more important now so both teams pushed to improve their shooting accuracy, precise passing, and one-on-one defence.
Big Boys retained the ball more often and began to mount numerous attacking raids. As they scored several baskets, they found themselves once again in the lead and hoping to maintain it. With one minute to go, they had a 4-point lead, though Skype continually kept the pressure on.
Skype scored with 10 secs to go, with the score line 20-18 in favour of Big Boys, and even though they just ran out of time, it was a valiant effort to go so close to tying it up.
Congratulations to Big Boys for winning The League BASKETBALL in the Secondary Division.
Futsal Secondary Finals
Basketball Secondary Finals
Primary League Finals - Soccer and Basketball
